Johnson, A.E.The Hazeley Family

CHAPTER XVII.
MORE SURPRISES.

NEXT day, Lottie informed her brother of her decision to return to her aunt, and apologize
for her unceremonious departure.

Joel was very glad that she had come to this conclusion of her own free will, for he had feared
he might have trouble in bringing her to it. He more than half-suspected that Flora had a good
deal to do with his sister's present submissive state, and was accordingly grateful.

Lottie bade her friends good-bye, and with Joel to keep her courage up, turned her face
determinedly toward her aunt's home, only making a comical grimace, as Flora whispered to her
some words of encouragement, adding the assurance that all would come out right.

The brother and sister walked on together in silence, for some time; and then it was Joel who
talked, for Lottie was too busy thinking to care for conversation. She acted as guide until they
stood under the old poplar in front of the quiet little house, and then she took refuge

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behind her brother, who marched undauntedly up to the door, and gave a knock, which said
plainly: "Here are some people who mean business."

The knock evidently surprised Mrs. Durand, for she opened the door herself, instead of telling
them to "Come in," as was her usual custom.

At first she saw no one but Joel, and seemed strongly inclined to close the door upon him; but
when she caught sight of Lottie, standing demurely behind him, she steadied herself firmly upon
her canes, and inquired, "What do you want?"

"In the first place, Aunt Emmeline," said Joel, calmly,

"I suppose you know
me?"

"No, I can't say I do," was the reply.

"I am not much surprised. It has been some time since we met. I am Joel Piper, your nephew,
and Lottie's brother."

Lottie came from behind her brother, and speaking rapidly, as if she were afraid she would
lose courage if she did not talk fast, said :"I've come to say that I am

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sorry I acted so badly, Aunt Emmeline, and if you will let me, I'll come back again."

"Come in," was the brusque command. Joel and Lottie entered, and Mrs. Durand closed the
door. Then she turned to them, and said, simply:

"If you want to come back, I guess you may."

Lottie shrugged her shoulders. She wanted so much to say that she did not come back
because she wanted to, but because she thought she ought, and she bit her tongue, by way of
admonishing that unruly member to keep still.

Joel guessed something of what was passing in his sister's mind, and hastened to engage Mrs.
Durand in conversation.

She seemed really touched as the young man recounted the history of his sickness and
sufferings in a strange city; and Lottie, sitting silently listening, was more than half convinced that
she had judged her aunt too severely. By the time Joel was ready to go, she was quite satisfied
that she did want to come back. Then the old house really looked homelike, especially after the
feeling of loneliness and homesickness she had experienced the day before as she walked the
streets not knowing which way to look for shelter.

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That evening, after everything was done, as Mrs. Durand was seated by the fire in her easy
chair, and Lottie was hemming a table-cloth, Mrs. Durand asked abruptly:

"Why did you come back?"

Lottie looked up in astonishment, scarcely knowing what to say. But deeming it best to tell
her exact reason, she said: "Because I thought it was my duty to do it."

For a while there was silence, during which Lottie glanced up timidly to see the effect of her
words upon her aunt, but she could discover nothing.

"I suppose you were pretty angry with me, when you went?" was the next remark.

"Awful!" said Lottie, catching her breath at her own temerity.

Again there was silence.

"Well," returned Mrs. Durand, "if you hadn't been in such a hurry, I should have told you I
didn't mean to strike you; but, I suppose I can tell you so now, can't I?"

"Oh dear, Aunt Emmeline, you needn't say anything at all about it," said Lottie, eagerly. "I
acted just horrid; I know I did."

"I can't blame you much, child. Old people like me, with the rheumatism, are apt to be
snappish. But I guess

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we both have had a lesson we will not be likely to forget. Come, now, I think it is time you were
in bed, so put away your sewing, and go."

"Can I get you anything, aunt?" asked Lottie, as she prepared to obey.

"Nothing at
all, my dear," was the soft reply, that sent Lottie upstairs in a state of pleasurable surprise at the
turn things had taken. Never had she felt more glad of anything than she was to find herself in the
little chamber again, because it was home.

Joel, in the meantime, after he had seen his sister fairly reinstated in her old place, returned to
Mrs. Hazeley's, where he duly reported the success of his visit.

Flora was very glad things were straightening out for her young friend, Lottie, for she was
really fond of her, because of her open, truthful nature.

A few days more Joel spent with his friends, and then, after arranging with his aunt for his
sister's future, insisting on supplying her needs outside of her board, for which Mrs. Durand
would accept nothing, he left, to return to his work, feeling at least contented, if not carrying back
with him the memory of a happy home welcome and reunion. It was good to have somebody to
work for and

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care for, and Joel was accustomed to placing full value upon present blessings or privileges, and
his example had not been lost upon Lottie, whose lot, while greatly changed and improved, was
by no means entirely freed from thorns, for Aunt Emmeline was still Aunt Emmeline, and was
likely to continue to be so. However, since Lottie's return, she had treated the girl with a fair
amount of consideration, much to her satisfaction and enjoyment. Lottie was beginning to feel at
home. In fact, as the months rolled by, and she grew in age and experience, Lottie gradually
became the household manager, and her aunt was content to oversee.

After a time, Mr. Piper grew tired of "rolling around," as he informed his sister and daughter,
and determined to marry a second time. He moreover informed Lottie that it would be more
agreeable to all concerned if she would conclude to remain with her aunt.

"Humph!" said that good woman. "It's well that it is agreeable to all; but suppose it wasn't?
As it is, child," she added,"you know you are welcome to a home with me just as long as you
want it. I have no wish to part with you. But I must say, your father is pretty cool."

At one time Lottie's heart would have beaten tumult

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uously at the prospect of a permanent home with Aunt Emmeline, but it was not so now, and she
felt very grateful, when she lay down that night, that God had so cared for her, when she could
not care for herself.

To return to our friends, the Hazeleys. They had all removed to Brinton, all but Alec, who
seemed so well-contented with his quarters at Major Joe's, that he did not wish to change. There
was really no necessity for him to do so. He was doing well at school, although he was by no
means what might be considered a brilliant pupil. In fact, his own prediction that he would be no
scholar, but a practical farmer, seemed likely to come true.

Major Joe had other help now, and Alec gave his time out of school and during holidays, to
the owner of a large farm in the immediate neighborhood, where he was learning many things that
were needful to know in his chosen calling. He always came home at night, and was known all
around as a "fine lad." Major Joe had grown too feeble to attend market any longer, and so he had
turned that part of his business over to the young man, who now had charge of his garden, and
who, it seemed more than likely would have charge of Ruth some time in the future, when he had
grown able to do so. The major remained at

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home, alternately nursing his rheumatic limbs, and helping "mother" and Ruth with the poultry, of
which they raised a quantity, and, as Jem said, were "getting awful rich off the eggs and things."
Ruth was a thrifty, thoroughgoing little housekeeper, one after her grandmother's own heart,
while Jem was just a lively little girl, who insisted on bestowing her help, which, however, usually
proved more of a hindrance. She was, however, the pet of the old people, and made things merry
in the little cottage.

Alec Hazeley had gone to see his brother as soon as he had heard of his return, and had spent
some days at home prior to the removal of the family. And he was the last object they saw as they
steamed out of the station. Mrs. Martin was no longer the active, stirring woman she had been
before her illness, but was now a confirmed invalid. She was much altered, in every way, and was
very glad to have her sister and family with her; and they were altogether a peaceful, happy, little
household.

It was not Harry's intention to remain at home long after he had seen his mother and sister
settled. But, somehow -- perhaps it was because every one seemed glad to have him there
--he stayed longer than he had intended; and, surprising to himself, and altogether
delightful to

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Flora and his mother, he one day informed them that he felt he had received a decided call to the
ministry.

"Oh, Harry!" cried his sister. "How sudden! I wasn't dreaming of such a thing; but I am so
glad."

"Yes," answered Harry, seriously, "I feel as if I must prepare myself to preach. Something
tells me, and I feel sure it is the voice of God, that I shall prosper at nothing else but winning souls
for Christ. As I was snatched from the toils of the Evil the Evil One, so must I help save others. I
believe that God rescued me for that very purpose."

Aunt Sarah was delighted, and would hear of nothing but that he should immediately begin to
fit himself for his new work. The family circle was again broken, but this time, how different the
circumstances, and how hopeful the future appeared, with all united in the bond of love for Christ
and a hope for his re-appearing.